Classic Coleslaw

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Whip up the ultimate tangy, creamy, and crunch-packed coleslaw in just 10 minutes — the perfect sidekick for all your summer cookouts!

Classic coleslaw in a wooden bowl.

With a refreshing crunch and just the right amount of creaminess, this easy coleslaw recipe is my go-to for summer cookouts and potlucks. It’s the quintessential coleslaw as you know and love it, but tastier and more vibrant. The secret? Cutting some of the mayo in the dressing with sour cream to add tangy flavor and richness. Apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, sugar, and celery seed amp up the flavor even more.

The slaw is terrific with BBQ chicken or ribs, burgers, bratwurst, pulled pork sandwiches, and reuben sandwiches. Or pair it with classic side dishes like potato salad, broccoli salad, and macaroni salad for the ultimate summer picnic spread. Best of all, the recipe utilizes a store-bought coleslaw mix, one of the most practical items found in the produce section of the supermarket. With all the tedious chopping already taken care of, the slaw only takes 10 minutes to prepare. Plus, it can be made a day in advance, making your meal planning that much easier.

“Bravo! This is the gold standard for coleslaw. It’s crispy, flavorful, made with readily available ingredients and delicious.”

Eileen

What You’ll Need To Make Classic Coleslaw

Coleslaw ingredients including sour cream, mayonnaise, and apple cider vinegar.
  • Mayonnaise : Forms the base of the creamy coleslaw dressing. When cooking with mayonnaise, always use a good-quality brand, like Hellmann’s or Duke’s—it makes a huge difference.
  • Sour cream: Adds tanginess and creaminess to the dressing, balancing the flavors.
  • Apple cider vinegar: Introduces acidity, brightening the taste of the coleslaw.
  • Sugar: Adds a subtle sweetness to balance the vinegar’s acidity.
  • Dijon mustard: Contributes a mild spiciness and tangy depth to the dressing.
  • Celery seed: Adds a distinctive, slightly bitter flavor that complements the creamy and tangy elements of the dressing.
  • Prepared shredded coleslaw: This cabbage mixture typically contains a blend of shredded green cabbage, red cabbage, and carrots. Some mixes may also include a small amount of other vegetables like kale or broccoli, depending on the brand. Not having to shred cabbage yourself with a mandoline or box grater is a huge time saver.
  • Scallions: Add a mild onion flavor that adds freshness and a slight crunch to the coleslaw.
  • Jump to the printable recipe for precise measurements

Step-by-Step Instructions

Begin by making the coleslaw dressing. In a large bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, apple cider vinegar, sugar, Dijon mustard, celery seed, salt, and fresh black pepper.

mayonnaise, sour cream, vinegar, sugar, mustard, and seasoning in mixing bowl

Whisk until combined.

whisked coleslaw dressing

Add the pre-shredded coleslaw and the dark green portion of the scallions. Toss until well combined.

shredded coleslaw and scallions tossed with dressing

Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours, or until ready to serve.

Wooden bowl of coleslaw.

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Classic Coleslaw

Whip up the ultimate tangy, creamy, and crunch-packed coleslaw in just 10 minutes — the perfect sidekick for all your summer cookouts!

Servings: 6 to 8
Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Total Time: 15 Minutes

Ingredients

  • ¾ cup mayonnaise, best quality such as Hellmann's or Duke's
  • ¼ cup sour cream
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • ½ teaspoon celery seed
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 lb (about 7 cups) prepared shredded coleslaw
  • 2 scallions, dark green parts only, thinly sliced

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, vinegar, sugar, mustard, celery seed, salt, and pepper. Add the coleslaw and scallions and toss until well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours, or until ready to serve.

Nutrition Information

Powered by Edamam

  • Per serving (8 servings)
  • Calories: 266
  • Fat: 24 g
  • Saturated fat: 4 g
  • Carbohydrates: 12 g
  • Sugar: 10 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 1 g
  • Sodium: 258 mg
  • Cholesterol: 14 mg

This website is written and produced for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and the nutritional data on this site has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration. Nutritional information is offered as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. The data is calculated through an online nutritional calculator, Edamam.com. Although I do my best to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Furthermore, different online calculators provide different results depending on their own nutrition fact sources and algorithms. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator.

Gluten-Free Adaptable Note

To the best of my knowledge, all of the ingredients used in this recipe are gluten-free or widely available in gluten-free versions. There is hidden gluten in many foods; if you're following a gluten-free diet or cooking for someone with gluten allergies, always read the labels of your ingredients to verify that they are gluten-free.

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Comments

  • Can I substitute 7 C of shredded cabbage instead of using store bought coleslaw mix

    • — Karen mach on May 28, 2023
    • Reply
    • Yep 🙂

      • — Jenn on May 29, 2023
      • Reply
  • Delicious and easy! I normally have light mayo and sour cream (not fat-free) on hand, and they work fine in this recipe. I shredded my own cabbage and carrots, and did not need all the dressing. Now I need to make some pulled pork ☺️

    • — Vicki Frederick on May 28, 2023
    • Reply
  • When I saw your coleslaw recipe I had to make it. It’s almost the same as my potato salad recipe. I use mayo, Greek yogurt,Dijon mustard, oil & vinegar, chopped red onion, dill and S&P. I always get requests for it.
    Your coleslaw was great! It will be my new recipe.

    • — Nora on May 28, 2023
    • Reply
  • Totally delicious, even more so when I left out the sugar and added some chopped apple instead. I’ve made it twice in the last 5 days! Thanks Jen 🙂

    • — Soogan on May 27, 2023
    • Reply
  • Bravo! This is the gold standard for coleslaw. It’s crispy, flavorful, made with readily available ingredients and delicious. I now have a go-to coleslaw recipe!

    • — Eileen on May 27, 2023
    • Reply
  • Our entire family is at war because of this coleslaw. It’s that good.

    • — Alexandra on May 11, 2023
    • Reply
    • 🤣

      • — Jenn on May 12, 2023
      • Reply
  • Jenn! You have done it again! My household loves coleslaw, I don’t care for it. Your recipe made me a believer. We used it on top of your pork loin for next day sandwiches. Yummy!

    • — Trina W on May 1, 2023
    • Reply
  • Delicious, easy, fast. It was a little too sweet for our taste, so I’ll cut back a bit on sugar next time. I love the addition of sour cream to cut the richness and the zip from the Dijon. Another winner! Thanks, Jenn.

    • — Nonnie on April 23, 2023
    • Reply
  • If you see this now on 3/6/23=@2:45PM, Please let me know.
    Made the dressing as listed. Had purchased 12oz broccoli slaw. How much dressing would yiu recommend?
    I guess I could put a portion of it in the bowl and then add the bag of slaw. If not enough dressing, would be able to use more.
    Looking forward to trying this.
    Thanks.
    Sunny Drohan

    • — Sunny Drihan on March 6, 2023
    • Reply
    • Hi Sunny, I’m just seeing this now – sorry! How did the coleslaw come out?

      • — Jenn on March 6, 2023
      • Reply
      • Excellent. Thank you. Your recipes are always so good.
        Sunny

        • — Sunny Drohan on March 8, 2023
        • Reply
      • Fantastic. Perfect blend of different items. I like the addition of a little mustard.

        • — Rob on May 27, 2023
        • Reply
  • I have been trying to find a good coleslaw dressing. Finally found yours and it is perfect. Not too sweet or sour. Thickness is perfect. I will check out more of your recipes. Thanks

    • — Judy on January 29, 2023
    • Reply

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